Imax Expands Partnership With Toho for Six More Locations in Japan

Imax is expanding its longstanding relationship with Japanese cinema giant Toho. The two companies revealed Tuesday that they have inked a deal to build six new Imax with Laser systems across Japan. 

Under the agreement, Imax will bring two new locations to Toho Cinemas in Tokyo, while furthering its expansion into key suburban areas across the country, including Utsunomiya, Nisshin, Toyama and Motosu. The locations in Tokyo, Utsunomiya, and Nisshin are set to open by the end of this year, while the Toyama and Motosu locations are expected in the first half of 2026. Included in the agreement is one existing backlog location previously signed with Toho Cinemas that will be upgraded to IMAX with Laser, the partners said Imax will also add a second system to Toho Cinemas Hibiya, replacing an existing premium large format theater and making it the first location outside of North America to house two Imax systems in the same complex.

Toho Cinemas is Imax’s largest exhibition partner in Japan, the world’s third-largest theatrical box office territory. By the end of 2026, Toho will have 16 Imax locations and last year the company operated three of the four highest-grossing Imax locations in the country. 

“Toho Group is a global entertainment powerhouse — with world-class cinemas and the largest film studio in Japan — and we continue to grow our partnership with the company in a way that fuels both our network and box office growth,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of Imax. “We are on pace deliver more signings for IMAX systems in Japan this year than ever, and securing the further commitment of an excellent strategic partner such as Toho Cinemas underscores our strength in this vital market.”

The partners have reason to be bullish on the prospects for their partnership in 2025. The highly anticipated sequel to Toho’s anime blockbuster Demon Slayer, the highest-grossing Japanese-language title ever for Imax and the top-grossing Japanese anime of all time, will release in the country in July, preceded by a rerelease of the original film in May.

“In Japan, we are currently producing a large number of Japanese films and animation to be seen in the Imax format. We have been looking for a long time to bring this premier visual experience to as huge an audience as possible, and we are pleased to have signed the agreement to install six new Imax theaters,” said Takayuki Ikeda, CEO of TOHO Cinemas. ”Especially, we are proud that Toho Cinemas Hibiya has been approved to install two Imax theaters, which is almost unheard of in the world.”

Imax currently operates 53 locations across Japan, with an additional 17 in backlog. Globally, the company has 1,807 Imax systems running in 90 countries and territories.